While the Covid-19 situation in Hanoi is still under control, the local authorities would continue to give priority to protecting the well-being of the people and staff of representations in the city, according to the Secretary of Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue (right) and Cambodia’s Ambassador to Vietnam Chay Navuth (left). Photo: Thanh Hai

Since the Covid-19 resurgence in Danang and other localities, nearly 100,000 people have returned to Hanoi, of them the authorities are working on testing, isolating and tracing those with high risk of infection, Mr. Hue said in a meeting with Cambodia’s Ambassador to Vietnam Chay Navuth on August 12.

At present, Hanoi is conducting real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for people returning from Covid-19 hit areas, and the testing is set to be completed in this week, he added.

Mr. Hue said at a time when the city is bearing severe impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic, the city is also focusing on economic recovery.

In the first six months of this year, the city’s economic growth was nearly double the national average.

With the long-standing relations with Cambodian capital Phnom Penh and other localities of the neighboring country, Mr. Hue informed Hanoi’s enterprises have invested over US$825 million in Cambodia to date, expressing hope that Cambodian authorities will continue supporting Vietnamese enterprises doing business in Cambodia, contributing to the development of bilateral relations.

Hanoi is looking forward to the prompt resumption of trade activities between Vietnam and Cambodia once the Covid-19 pandemic is put under control, Mr. Hue stated.

Ambassador Chay Navuth highly regarded Hanoi’s efforts in the fight against Covid-19 and expressed his thanks for the strong support from Hanoi’s authorities for the Cambodian embassy.

The ambassador said Vietnam’s medical equipment donation for Cambodia has been instrumental in the latter’s response to Covid-19.

Mr. Chay Navuth agreed with Hanoi’s Party Chief suggestion on the resumption of economic activities between the two countries as soon as the pandemic ends. He showed his willingness to listen to recommendations and suggestions from Vietnamese businesses in Cambodia.